The Geneva International Motor Show is the most anticipated event in the global automobile industry. It is where all the up-and-coming vehicles of all types are showcased by various car manufacturers and the whole world has its eye on it. The year 2017 brought about the 87th Geneva Motor Show, which featured a fair share of hybrid and electric cars among the showcased automobiles and there is surely a good reason for it.
These hybrid and electric cars have been gaining a lot of popularity and demand due to the rising sentiment and campaigns of conserving natural environment. Such cars are also equipped with advanced technology that aids in reducing fuel expenses as well. As a result, car manufacturers have started coming up with cutting- edge technology and produce the most fuel efficient and eco-friendly cars as they can.
Here are some of the most outstanding and talked out eco-friendly cars emerging from the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show. The cars are not listed in any form of rank or on priority basis.
2017 Kia Soul EV
The Kia Soul Electric Vehicle may not be much to look at, but it definitely gets fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness way better. The front features a Project Beam Headlamps for better visibility and improved fuel efficiency. The bumper may be very distinct from conventional car but for good reason. The sleek bumper is such because Kia Soul does not support an engine thus there is an absence of a front grille.
As an evidence of its clean drivetrain, the rear does not support an exhaust pipe as there are no emissions to be released. When entering inside, the capacious interior and exceptional comfort is a feature that cannot be ignored. In addition to this, the rear seats can be split folded to increase the cargo space when needed. To maximize on its ecofriendly qualities, the interior is made from biomaterials that have durable qualities.
When it comes to the performance of the Kia Soul EV, it supports a 360 V electric motor with a gear shift mode transmission. This electric motor is capable of producing 109 horsepower, 210 lb-ft of instant torque and EPA range of 93 miles. For an all-electric vehicle, it has a record of offering fuel efficiency of 120 mpg in the city and 92 mpg on the highway.
2017 Toyota Auris Touring Sport
The 2017 Toyota Auris Touring Sport is a hybrid vehicle that is not only great in its performance but also its aesthetic appeal. This station wagon is designed to be a family car with a sleek design and a spacious interior. Resultantly, the storage capacity of the Auris goes up to 1,635 litres, perfect for accommodating large families or/and friends. To ensure that your family is in safe hands while travelling, it features the Toyota Safety Sense that covers everything essential.
The interior also offers a “Toyota Touch 2” screen on the dashboard while the alluring exterior is majorly contributed to the LED headlamps and the 17-inch alloy wheels.
The hybrid Toyota Auris Touring Sport offers a fuel economy of up to 80.7 mpg and CO2 emissions of 85g/km only, which is incredible. It also comes with an option of diesel and petrol engines.
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2017 Peugeot iOn
The new Peugot iOn is deemed as the perfect city car with its compact size and efficient performance. With a distinctively hatchback design, this eye-catching car has 15-inch alloy wheels and automatic headlights.
The interior features innovative technology, great comfort and enough space to seat four adults easily. 2017 iOn has rear folding seats for, adaptive luggage space and a driver-centric dashboard that has everything within the driver’s reach.
This compact hatchback supports an electric motor that is capable of going at a top speed of 80 mph. With a full charged battery, it can last up to 93 miles and with 30 minute charge, the batteries can be charged 80%.
Along with efficiency, it provides adequate safety for its passengers with features such as the Electronic Stability Program, which would keep the vehicle from oversteering and keep it on track. Other standard safety features include seat belt sensors, six air bags along with Child Seat Anchor Seats.
2017 BMW i3
The new BMW i3 is all about being all-electric with more mileage and power. It is designed to be aerodynamic and innovative in order to perform smarter. This version also comes with a power moon roof, giving an added feature for the passengers to enjoy the drive.
The interior is innovative, bringing sustainability throughout with 25% of renewable and recycled materials. It also comes with a spacious feature as through the LifeDrive interior architecture it allows for the B-pillar and center console to be removed, creating even more openness.
When it comes to delivering smarter and sharper performance, the BMW i3 offers it all. Being an all-electric vehicle, it is capable of producing 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, thus giving an improved mileage compared to the previous version. It can go up to 114 mile range on a full charge and is recorded to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds, which is capable only through the 33kWh high voltage lithium-ion battery pack.
There is also an option of a Range Extender that can extend the range up to 180 miles. This is contributed mostly due to the two cylinder, gas powered engine that generates electricity and maintains the charge of the batteries at approximately 5% level.
2017 Volkswagen Golf
This plug-In Hybrid comes in two eco-friendly models i.e. 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTE and 2017 Volkswagen e-Golf. The 2017 Volkswagen Golf is a compact car that is versatile in function as well as a stylish exterior design. It comes with a rear spoiler and a panoramic sunroof that adds to the dynamic look.
Due to its size, there is plenty of space in the cabin and a 60/40-split folding rear seats that can increase the cargo capacity to 52.7 cu. ft.
The BMW i3 is powered by 1.8-litre turbocharged V4 engine that is capable of producing 115 horsepower, while in the electric mode, it has maximum 101 horsepower and 330 Nm of torque. In the Plug-In hybrid mode, the BMW i3 has a range of 185 miles, while an all-electric mode its range can go up to 300 Km. Its top speed is recorded to be 130 Km/h and an impressive fuel economy of 1.7 litre/100 km.
These are some of the worth mentioning and innovative hybrid and all-electric vehicles showcased in the Geneva International Motor Show 2017.
